Product Description

Ana Kavanagh's only memories of home are of fire and pain. As a girl she was the only survivor of a terrible blaze, and years later she still struggles with her anger at God for letting it happen.

At a nearby parish she meets and finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who is struggling with his own anger--his sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan longs to rejoin the Fenians, a shadowy organization pushing for change back in Ireland. But gaining their trust requires doing some favors--all of which seem to lead back to Ana. Who is she and who is searching for her? As dark secrets from Ana's past begin to come to light, Eoghan must choose which road to follow--and where to finally place his trust.

Publisher's Description

Ana Kavanagh's only memories of home are of fire and pain. As a girl she was the only survivor of a terrible blaze, and years later she still struggles with her anger at God for letting it happen.

At a nearby parish she meets and finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who is struggling with his own anger--his sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan longs to rejoin the Fenians, a shadowy organization pushing for change back in Ireland. But gaining their trust requires doing some favors--all of which seem to lead back to Ana. Who is she and who is searching for her? As dark secrets from Ana's past begin to come to light, Eoghan must choose which road to follow--and where to finally place his trust.

Author Bio

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. She is the author of No Safe Harbor, and her novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She owns and edits the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas. Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

Book Summary: Ana Kavanagh's only memories of home are of fire and pain. As a girl she was the only survivor of a terrible blaze, and years later she still struggles with her anger at God for letting it happen. At a nearby parish she meets and finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who is struggling with his own anger--his sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan longs to rejoin the Fenians, a shadowy organization pushing for change back in Ireland. But gaining their trust requires doing some favors--all of which seem to lead back to Ana. Who is she and who is searching for her? As dark secrets from Ana's past begin to come to light, Eoghan must choose which road to follow--and where to finally place his trust.

Review: I really enjoyed this book. The story line was enjoyable and the suspense was plentiful. I liked Ana and Eoghan they were not perfect which made them very realistic. I liked the tension between Eoghan and his family. It was realistically written and fun to see played out throughout the story. Having Carah and her husband in the story added to the suspense who was after both Ana and Eoghan. Since many characters were from the first book it made it easier to follow. I think that it would be a good stand alone book, although I have read the first one. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

Eoghan Hamilton has been betrayed in the worst way possible - by his own flesh and blood twin sister, Cara. The man she married is his sworn enemy and seeking to kill him, and nothing short of a miracle will convince Eoghan that Rourke Turner is a changed man and worthy of his sister. Alone in the world and steadfastly avoiding his sister despite their close proximity in New York, Eoghan has managed to keep his distance for 2 years. His budding friendship with one particular young woman named Ana threatens to destroy his anonymity, along with the hope he harbors that one day he can get Cara away from Rourke.

Having crossed the continent from Ireland to America to escape a murderous uncle, Ana knows all too well what it means to keep her distance from family. Changing her name and traveling to a new country as a young orphan was difficult, but trying to stay alive after her location is discovered is even harder. Is her uncle truly a changed man, or is he seeking to finish what he started years ago in the fire that killed her family?

It was really nice to catch up with the characters from the first book in the series, Safe Harbor. There was definitely a lot of build up from the first book, but it can be read on it's own. Ever the mystery writer, Ludwig gives us everything we want in a historical romance with a mysterious air about it. The setting is a huge part of the story, but believe me when I say you will be reading their lines with an Irish brogue! I usually don't entertain such nonsense with my storybook characters, but the author made it so clear in her writing I just couldn't help it. Whether you believe in love or not, the time, place and unforgettable characters will make you a fan.

This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers for free in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the first book in this series, and I could not wait for the library to get this book. They finally got it, and I read it. It was not as good as I thought it would be, but the climax was really exciting. Although some other parts of the book dragged a bit, the climax was worth waiting for. The end kind of left me hanging, and now I have to wait for the next book to come out!

In Elizabeth Ludwig's second book in the Edge of Freedom series, she once again brings to life characters from events that happened over a century ago.

In Dark Road Home, Ludwig brings back Cara Hamilton and her now-husband, Roarke Turner, who are searching for Cara's lost brother, Eoghan. But when Cara's friend, Ana, finds him working for a priest at a local parish, Ana keeps his secret, afraid of the danger that seeems to be lurking around Eoghan.

But little does Ana know that she is in danger herself and a part of the danger that surrounds Eoghan. Will she be able to face her own demons and find God in the midst of suffering? And will Eoghan be able to leave his past behind and accept his sister and her husband again?

I was able to review the first book in this series, and I was not disappointed by Ludwig's second. Her characters are charming and engaging; her settings are believable; and her plot makes it hard to put the book down until the end.

Above all, Ludwig seems to have a strong grasp on bringing the reader's focus back to God and strengthens her characters only when they find strength in God.

I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.

*This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dark Road Home is filled with suspense and danger from cover to cover. The main characters' stories vary in specific details, but their past and current lives are intertwined in unexpected ways. Elizabeth Ludwig has obviously done extensive historical research that gives real life to her tales of these Irish immigrants and some of the struggles they encountered before and after their move to America. In the midst of the intrigue is a beautiful story of unexpected love and renewed faith.

Like book one in her Edge of Freedom series (read my review of No Safe Harbor) Elizabeth fills the pages with mystery and questions. At times, it was hard for me to keep up with all the characters, what their roles are, and how they fit together. Pieces of the puzzle come into focus one by one and by the end of the story, many of the questions are answered. But she leaves enough suspense to make me anxious to read Tide and Tempest, due to come out next spring, for even more answers.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.